Need help and advise :)

BagnaraSnakes16 · 06-03-13, 11:53 AM

So im going to a reptile expo in july in fort myers florida and ive decided that my next snake will be a blood python. ive owned many snakes in the past but because of college had to get rid of them. I will now be home again and able to care for snakes and thought id start of with something new. ive read all the care sheets and know a lot about them but wanted some advice or help from actual keepers of these beautiful snakes. My questions are what kind of setup should I get for a baby blood for example a tub or 10-20 gal? I want to use newspaper because its cheaper and easier to clean but I know its harder to keep the humidity up with newspaper. Also if you guys could recommend a heat pad and thermostat to use that would be great or if you don't think a thermostat is needed for this snake let me know. Any advice is appreciated. Also I was wondering on the price of these guys and morphs they have.

Hurrok · 06-03-13, 02:03 PM

I can't really say anything about Bloods since I never owned any but as for substrate and what to use I would recommend paper towel as it is a bit better for humidity and as easy to clean up as newspaper.

As for heating and a thermostat I would recommend a Hydrofarm stat, not the best but what you pay for it it does a pretty good job. (I use two of them and they haven't given me trouble except for dropping a few degrees once and a while)

You can use a heat pad or get some Flexwatt heat tape. I usually get mine from The Bean Farm online as they sell a variety of sizes and the clips, wires etc that you need.

BagnaraSnakes16 · 06-03-13, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hurrok

I can't really say anything about Bloods since I never owned any but as for substrate and what to use I would recommend paper towel as it is a bit better for humidity and as easy to clean up as newspaper.

As for heating and a thermostat I would recommend a Hydrofarm stat, not the best but what you pay for it it does a pretty good job. (I use two of them and they haven't given me trouble except for dropping a few degrees once and a while)

You can use a heat pad or get some Flexwatt heat tape. I usually get mine from The Bean Farm online as they sell a variety of sizes and the clips, wires etc that you need.

Thanks as as for the heat tape. what size would u recommend how much was the thermostat u are talking about?

**lady_bug87** · 06-03-13, 02:06 PM

I think for bloods most keepers use tubs since they can be shy, Chuck (marvelfreak) has some wicked looking black bloods. Hopefully you can get in touch with him.

marvelfreak · 06-03-13, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lady_bug87

I think for bloods most keepers use tubs since they can be shy, Chuck (marvelfreak) has some wicked looking black bloods. Hopefully you can get in touch with him.

Thanks!

For baby you want to use a tub or tote. They can be very sensitive to poor habit. With a tub it just makes it 100 times easier to control the humidity and temps. Be sure to have two or three hides. You want them to be tight fitting this will help them feel more secure. As far as keeping the humidity up all you need is a nice size water bowl put in the middle of the cage or cool end. With the right size bowl humidity will stay up with out effort.

Paper or Reptile bark work great for bloods. If you use paper wad some up so it can hide under it. The more place to hide the better it will help keep them feeling secure.

For heat i use Ultratherm Heat Pads
I swear they are the best heat pads out there. They also carry heat tape and hooks. A hook is something you will want so you can hook train it. Only use a hook when you are going to handle. all you do is touch the head to let them know they are going to be picked up. With my Black and Borneo i never had to use a hook i can just reach in and pick them up. The Red bloods i had would bite every time if i didn't use a hook.

When choosing a tub or tote you don't want one that's to tall but do give them a little climbing room. For babies something like a 32 quart works perfect.

Any questions feel free to ask.

BagnaraSnakes16 · 06-03-13, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvelfreak

Thanks!

For baby you want to use a tub or tote. They can be very sensitive to poor habit. With a tub it just makes it 100 times easier to control the humidity and temps. Be sure to have two or three hides. You want them to be tight fitting this will help them feel more secure. As far as keeping the humidity up all you need is a nice size water bowl put in the middle of the cage or cool end. With the right size bowl humidity will stay up with out effort.

Paper or Reptile bark work great for bloods. If you use paper wad some up so it can hide under it. The more place to hide the better it will help keep them feeling secure.

For heat i use Ultratherm Heat Pads
I swear they are the best heat pads out there. They also carry heat tape and hooks. A hook is something you will want so you can hook train it. Only use a hook when you are going to handle. all you do is touch the head to let them know they are going to be picked up. With my Black and Borneo i never had to use a hook i can just reach in and pick them up. The Red bloods i had would bite every time if i didn't use a hook.

When choosing a tub or tote you don't want one that's to tall but do give them a little climbing room. For babies something like a 32 quart works perfect.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Awesome advice thanks! just a question on those heat pads...what size should I order for a baby blood in a 32 quart?

LadyWraith · 06-03-13, 04:58 PM

For my blood, I use a foot long strip of the 12" Flexwatt, which covers the area under the hot hide with a little extra to spare. The Hydrofarm is about $30-ish if I'm not mistaken and use one of these as well. I double check the temps with a temp gun periodically to make sure it's accurate. As for substrate, I had been using newspaper but am trying coco husk out because even with my tub setup, I couldn't keep the humidity up high enough. She seems to like this stuff better anyway since she can kinda burrow down into it.

BagnaraSnakes16 · 06-03-13, 06:41 PM

Also marvelfreak do you have any hatchlings available from 2013 or late 2012?

marvelfreak · 06-03-13, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BagnaraSnakes16

Also marvelfreak do you have any hatchlings available from 2013 or late 2012?

On the heat pad i used 11" x 17". When using heat pads or tape you always want it to cover 1/4 to 1/3 of the bottom of the cage.

As for babies this was my first year they are old enough to breed. He was willing but she wanted no part of him. So I'll try again next year by then she should be ready.

smy_749 · 06-03-13, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvelfreak

On the heat pad i used 11" x 17". When using heat pads or tape you always want it to cover 1/4 to 1/3 of the bottom of the cage.

As for babies this was my first year they are old enough to breed. He was willing but she wanted no part of him. So I'll try again next year by then she should be ready.

.....Typical lol

**lady_bug87** · 06-03-13, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

.....Typical lol

Speak for yourself daddy

smy_749 · 06-03-13, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lady_bug87

Speak for yourself daddy

I don't breed snakes atm, or anything so I can't speak from experience. We are still talking about snakes right?

marvelfreak · 06-03-13, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

.....Typical lol

So true!

BagnaraSnakes16 · 06-09-13, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvelfreak

On the heat pad i used 11" x 17". When using heat pads or tape you always want it to cover 1/4 to 1/3 of the bottom of the cage.

As for babies this was my first year they are old enough to breed. He was willing but she wanted no part of him. So I'll try again next year by then she should be ready.

one last question...do u apply it directly to the plastic tub?